My first Chelsea shirt: Nathaniel Chalobah

Do you remember that feeling when you got your first football shirt? What it felt to put it on for the first time. Well we spoke to Watford and England midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah about his first Chelsea shirt and his love of Napoli kits.

Nathaniel Chalobah was loaned out to Watford, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading and Napoli before making his full debut for Chelsea in 2016-17 when he was a part of Antonio Conte’s first team squad.

We spoke to the Watford midfielder as part of Your First Football Shirt. An illustrated book of 30 interviews with footballers and famous fans raising money for CALM + Willow.

Your first football shirt

My first shirt was my ‘Chalobah 62’ shirt for Chelsea. We couldn’t afford to buy football kits as a kid so I had to wait until I made my debut in pre-season against Crystal Palace in a friendly for my first proper one!

Your favourite football shirt

My favourite football shirt would have to be my Napoli shirt from the 2015-16 season when I was on loan there. The fit and design were so nice and the fact I got to have the No 94 on the back.

I like swapping shirts with friends I’ve played with or against, so it’s a tough one. I would probably say a Brazil shirt I got from Willian. I like the colour and it came from a close friend.

Pick up your copy of the book here and order your illustration of Nathaniel Chalobah here with all profits going to CALM + Willow.

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Football Shirt Collective is the destination for those who can’t get enough of football nostalgia. Whether it’s Tony Yeboah’s howitzer for Leeds or George Weah going coast to coast for AC Milan, we love football memories and sharing the products that celebrate them.